BajaNomad - Tickets and Fines

Tickets and Fines

Bajamatic - 8-31-2006 at 06:04 PM

David K Mentioned that going to the station and paying the fine is cheap - is it really? What are you experiences (or one). I got nailed for $250 in ensenada for speeding (paid 60 on the spot and was released with most of my pride and cash intact).

David K - 8-31-2006 at 06:09 PM

Who told you the fine was $250 (is that in dollars or pesos)???

IF it was the cop, then you just lost $60 as he made you feel good bribing him that much.

Who wants to tell Bajamatic what a speeding ticket costs (at the police station)?

Were you speeding? Do you feel good (what really matters)?

[Edited on 9-1-2006 by David K]

Bajamatic - 8-31-2006 at 06:11 PM

indeed. He said I was above the speed limit, AND above the school zone limit, both of which are true. Oh - and I did not feel so good. Would have felt better if I did not get caught.

[Edited on 9-1-2006 by Bajamatic]

David K - 8-31-2006 at 06:31 PM

Did he even offer you to follw him to the station?

IF not, then he broke the law... officers can not accept money (legally).

If you were scared then it probably fealt good to pay him off and not fear anything worse.

Just that if you did go to the station, your fine would probably be $40 or less. I am asking Ensenada Nomads to confirm this, however.

Guilty of driving a Porsche in Mexico

thebajarunner - 8-31-2006 at 09:12 PM

My crime was driving my 911S on the free road into TJ near La Gloria.
This was about 20 years ago.
I demanded that we go to the station.
An elderly man at the station was mopping the floor.
We walked in, he parked the mop, put on an official cop hat and wrote me out a receipt for my fine, which was $10 U.S.
I am sure inflation would take this to about $40 by now, but that should be it.
And yes, it was a very interesting experience, one which was worth every penny of the fine and the half hour I spent doing it!!!

(I got stopped in Mexico City once- said everyone went through the red light but I was the only one that stopped when he put on the lights.... yeah, right!!! Like I was the only one he lighted up. Anyway, he had an official looking book, on the back was a schedule of fines, and then there was at the very end one fine which, as best I could translate, said "really bad behavior" and it said the equivalent of $500 US. I took it as a joke and demanded we go to the station, after a lot of haggling I gave him $5 and went back to running red lights with everyone else)

Bajamatic - 8-31-2006 at 09:30 PM

He did offer to take us to the station. I knew he was inflating the cost, especially when he asked us "what we did for a living" (my default response for that is now "police officer"). We had just left a supermarket and had cash in our pockets. I know better then to carry more then 40 in my pockets, but got caught with my fly down, so to speak. I'm just curious to know what the actual fine might have been so next time I can weigh the cost of my time.... I think next time I'll take a trip to the station.

elgatoloco - 9-1-2006 at 08:23 AM

I have never been issued a ticket for speeding even though I have been pulled over three times so I can not vouch for the amount of the fine.

I was issued a ticket in La Paz for going the wrong way down a one way street and the fine at the station was USD $11.62.

Default Response....

bajaguy - 9-1-2006 at 09:03 AM

Bajamatic....please, please post what happens to you AFTER you tell them that what you do for a living is "Police Officer"....I'm sure that we would like to know....especially those of us who are Police Officers

Ticket Rates

MrBillM - 9-1-2006 at 09:58 AM

I have no idea what the legitimate fines are since I have always been guilty of the offense and have been able to arrive at a settlement that was acceptable to myself and the officer. The most I've ever paid was $30. Depending on geography, it would have to be at least double that before I would "consider" doing the Legal thing.

"Pay and Go" works fine for me.

Royosbaja - 9-1-2006 at 11:19 AM

Pay-and-Go....

5:20 am... Doing 80 mph, (not he 80 kph that was posted), heading south just before the first toll and the lights come on. Officer told me I was speeding and that I needed to go downtown with him. I asked him if there was a way to settle this here and now. He stated that $80, (American), should cover it but he did not have his "receipt" book with him.
I explained that my father and I were just starting our trip and we did not have that amount of cash to "spare." He looked at my truck, said I had a broken taillight, and that would be $40, ($20 for each officer I guess since there were two of them).
I said "thank you, officer," paid the gentlemen and was on my way.

I know it is not the "preferred" thing to do but the way I look at it is:
1- 5:20 am in Mexico
2- Not familiar with downtown Tj and although I am sure I could have followed them, getting back to where I wanted to be could have been a nightmare.
3- 80 mph in a 48 mph zone = $40, not bad
4- I did not want to spend the time it would take for this to be settled "downtown," I do not even know what time they open up....

On the other hand:
If I did not have anything else to do, had not been breaking the law, it was daylight and I felt confident of finding the toll road again, maybe I would have taken them up on their offer to "go downtown."

But I doubt it.....

next time

Bajamatic - 9-1-2006 at 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Bajamatic....please, please post what happens to you AFTER you tell them that what you do for a living is "Police Officer"....I'm sure that we would like to know....especially those of us who are Police Officers

Sorry to have offended you. Maybe I'll change my response to "Security Guard". No, wait, that might offend a secuirty guard. Hmmm. Maybe i'll say I'm a sarcasm insturctor. No, that might get me into trouble.....

The point is that this particular officer, much like the one who based his fines on the condition of the broken tailights, put weight on what it is I did for a living, and if that particular industry paid well or not. "Doctor" probably wasnt the best response, especially since we are researchers and figured "Doctor" would get us more respect. I think Police Man in this instance would have served us better. And you know what he would have said? "Darn - I was hoping they were doctors"

Bajamatic - 9-1-2006 at 11:55 AM

Ok. I get it.

I'm 10-8.

[Edited on 9-1-2006 by Bajamatic]

Feeling good!

Sharksbaja - 9-1-2006 at 02:40 PM

Quote:

"IF it was the cop, then you just lost $60 as he made you feel good bribing him that much."

Quote:

"If you were scared then it probably fealt good to pay him off and not fear anything worse."

Quote:

"Were you speeding? Do you feel good (what really matters)?"

Feel good? Do you feel good anytime you get pulled over....for anything...anytime?: :?:

David it seems you see this issue as black and white. It's a judgement call on your behalf when the situation occurs IMHO.
Considering the scary thought of following a possibly crooked cop somewhere in somewhere, I think some would pay the exit ticket if it wasn't some huge amount. If it were a huge amount,would you feel comfortable following the cop anywhere?
Hopefully you can save time, money, aggravation bla bla whatever but I can think of a thousand reasons to, as MrBill says "pay and go". If you flash wads of money be prepared to spend more if you do opt for a qwik exit ticket.
David, maybe can you tell these guys your police experiences in TJ? Did you feel good? :lol:

Maybe that could shed light on your profound stance and help the new guys understand your point. Which is.....

OK we're 10-99

David K - 9-1-2006 at 03:05 PM

Sharks... I was trying to find out what motivates someone to pay a cop off to keep from going to the station...

I am sure I have told my stories more than once about being pulled over in both Tijuana and Ensenada...

Thanks to Baja Nomads posting, I now know going to the station is no big deal!

However, back in the 1970's and early 80's, asking the nice officer "if HE could pay the fine for me" seemed the easy way to deal with that situation (if I was guilty)... Plus, the officer could buy something nice for his wife or child with the bonus income!

1) Tijuana, just inside the border on the cloverleaf... 'speeding' (not) before sunrise in the morning... talked myself out of it... showed him my Distinguished Visitor sticker and Mexico West travel pass (told him I promoted tourism in my magazine travel articles...

2) Tijuana, going down the steep hill to the toll road... 'speeding' (not much)... talked myself out of a ticket again, being not in a hurry and polite to the officer. (He wasn't behind me long enough to clock me speeding in my Subaru).

3) Ensenada, near the Naval Base... 'not using turn signal when changing lanes' a m/c cop said (bogus). I turned on my signal and walked back of my Subaru and showed him that 'they worked fine', and was in no hurry to hand him any dough. He got a call and left...

4) Ensenada, middle of town pulling a friend back from San Felipe where his VW broke down! Pulled over for using a TOW STRAP (instead of the legal tow bar, in Mexico)!! I tried to explain how I was helping a friend who broke down 150 miles earlier... The officer (now joined by others) asks me HOW MUCH would this infraction costs in America! I thought I was being smart in saying "maybe $20 dollars?". Being one step smarter, the officer responds with "Okay, $20 for you AND $20 for the car you are towing"!!!

The best part is that I said "I worry about getting pulled over again, could you please ESCORT us to the toll highway?"

We got a police escort through Ensenada and the officers smiled and waved to us as we got onto the highway... well worth the money!!!

[Edited on 9-1-2006 by David K]

Bajamatic

Baja Bernie - 9-1-2006 at 04:58 PM

Baja Guy is correct.

Guess everybody know I am a retired cop--believe me kid that will not fly unless you can speak the lingo that all cops understand---To paraphase David--Got Donuts!

Okay, just kidding but if he got you before you knew what you were doing you were not watching your surroundings and without knowing what is going on around you you put yourself in jeopardy for much more than a ticket.

Enjoy Baja, but pay attention--you will see more, enjoy more and be safer.

bajapablo - 9-1-2006 at 05:34 PM

Got pulled over for running a stop sign in San Felipe. Followed the cop to the station paid the 25.00 fine. Later that day my buddy got pulled out of the line at the border in San luis for cutting in line. We were told that the ticket was 50.00 and that we could follow him to the station and pay it. We were at the border on a Sunday afternoon at 1pm and had to be to work in the a.m. and we were still 12 hours away (including 2 hour wait from the end of the line). We told him this and he said we could pay him this one time right there. We paid him cash on the spot and got home at 1 am instead of 4. Well worth it.

Bajamatic - 9-1-2006 at 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja Bernie
Baja Guy is correct.

Guess everybody know I am a retired cop--believe me kid that will not fly unless you can speak the lingo that all cops understand

10-4 good buddy. I got the whole cop thing. You obviously didn't get the joke.

Now. What do you plead Mr. Officer? Guilty or not guilt of being pulled over? And how much did you fork over? Have you been to the station? Don't make me cuff you and toss you in the pokey for obstruction. Code 4.

Wha??

Sharksbaja - 9-2-2006 at 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajamatic

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja Bernie
Baja Guy is correct.

Guess everybody know I am a retired cop--believe me kid that will not fly unless you can speak the lingo that all cops understand

Quote:

4) Ensenada, middle of town pulling a friend back from San Felipe where his VW broke down! Pulled over for using a TOW STRAP (instead of the legal tow bar, in Mexico)!! I tried to explain how I was helping a friend who broke down 150 miles earlier... The officer (now joined by others) asks me HOW MUCH would this infraction costs in America! I thought I was being smart in saying "maybe $20 dollars?". Being one step smarter, the officer responds with "Okay, $20 for you AND $20 for the car you are towing"!!!We got a police escort through Ensenada and the officers smiled and waved to us as we got onto the highway... well worth the money!!!

David, did you just infer you paid a mordida of $40 ?

Matic you were probably just 10-11 :lol:

jeffg - 9-2-2006 at 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajamatic
David K Mentioned that going to the station and paying the fine is cheap - is it really? What are you experiences (or one). I got nailed for $250 in ensenada for speeding (paid 60 on the spot and was released with most of my pride and cash intact).

I don't know about speeding, but about 5-6 years ago I was pulled over in Ensenada for running a yellow light. Apparently that's illegal, if so I was guilty. (I thought yellow meant "Hurry up"). The cop said to follow him to the station, first he told me "the fine for this is very expensive, but to you it will seem cheap". That had me a little worried. We followed him to the station, after a bit the man in charge there gave us the fine amount, I forget exactly but it was about 18.00 I asked "dollars?" nope, it was pesos. So the total fine was about $1.75. Cheap enough I guess for the dastardly crime of running a yellow.

Jeff

David K - 9-2-2006 at 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajamatic

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja Bernie
Baja Guy is correct.

Guess everybody know I am a retired cop--believe me kid that will not fly unless you can speak the lingo that all cops understand

Quote:

David, did you just infer you paid a mordida of $40 ?

Matic you were probably just 10-11 :lol:

I paid $20 and my friend I was towing paid $20... it was well worth it for the police escort and years of story telling! :lol:

El Jefe - 9-2-2006 at 07:26 PM

About three years ago my buddie Gene and I were bringing the travel trailer from Jim's storage yard in La Paz to the trailer park about a mile away. As we passed a motorcycle "cop" parked on the opposite side of the four lane I said to Gene, "watch this, bet he pulls us over."

Sure enough he did - for nothing. As he came up to the window I was determined not to give in to his extortion. I don't know what got into me, but when he asked me if I spoke Spanish I replied in my best Okie accent, "Si sinore, un po-keet-oh."

He then proceeded to tell me in rapid fire spanish that I had violated some law regarding stop lights and how the law was different in Mexico. Total BS. I looked him in the eye and said, "Feller, I'm not sure what the heck you're talkin about, but I didn't do nuthin wrong bach there. An I sure ain't gonna give ya no money for that!"

He kept going on about the aleged crime and I just kept looking at him stupidly. Gene is sitting quietly trying to suppress laughter or dismay, I don't know which.

Finally I pulled out my wallet and for a moment the cop stopped talking. But instead of money, I showed him my deputy fire chief badge. I told him, "Looky here fella, weez hair-mon-ohs. You aint got no need to be botherin me!"

He gave me a very odd look, a dismissive wave of his hand and turned and walked back to his motorcycle. Gene couldn't believe it. I smiled the rest of the day.

Bedman - 9-3-2006 at 12:03 AM

Well...... According to the SOS organization the following are minimum and maximum fines for the following infractions in Mexico. All amounts are in Pesos!!

Speeding $632 to $1265
Traffic sig infraction $253 to $421
Seat belt $253 to $421
Talking on Cell phone $253 to $421
Not giving right of way $253 to $421
Littering $464 to $632
invalid /No driver lic. $253 to $421
Racing $464 to $632
Drvng in Fast lane $253 to $421
Double prk $253 to $421
Prkd in Red zne $253 to $421

Exploding firewrks $295
Disorderly cond. $126 to $285
Public Intox. $126 to $285
Drinking in Pub. $211 to $843
Loitering $421 to 1285
Peeing in Pub. $126 to $295
Naked in Pub. $211 to $843
Excess noise, car/moto/radio $211 to $843

Crimes relating to
Drugs/Alch/Prostituition $421 to $1285

Interesting to note that Public Intoxication is cheaper than Drinking in Public!!

Bedman

P.S. I typed everything real neat and had the fines 3 tabs over, but I guess the soft ware removes the tabs/space??

[Edited on 9-3-2006 by Bedman]

According to SOS

Sharksbaja - 9-3-2006 at 12:56 AM

I made the right decision.

DK, you??

AmoPescar - 9-3-2006 at 02:24 AM

My only infraction....

was riding my quad in San Felipe w/o a helmet. It was after returning from a SF to BOLA ride. We went into SF to meet friends for a beer and it was too hot and I was too tired to wear a helmet. A Mexican friend with me tried to explain that it had been cracked in an accident and was not wearable, but the officer didn't go for that.

We had to follow them 2 blocks to the Police Station where they confiscated our keys until the fine was paid. I think the fine was $6.00 US. I was so P.O'd... :lol:

AMO

David K - 9-3-2006 at 09:55 AM

Yes Sharks... I did!

FARASHA - 9-3-2006 at 10:07 AM

AMO was your MUG shot taken on that occasion? then you got at least something for your money!! :lol:

AmoPescar - 9-3-2006 at 11:57 AM

FARASHA...

NO, the helmet ticket was about 3 years ago.

Amo

Bajamatic - 9-3-2006 at 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by El Jefe

Finally I pulled out my wallet and for a moment the cop stopped talking. But instead of money, I showed him my deputy fire chief badge. I told him, "Looky here fella, weez hair-mon-ohs. You aint got no need to be botherin me!"

That must be the Safety Business "presentation" your talking about, eh BajaGuy/Bernie?

Nice Post Bedman - thats the info I was looking for....

[Edited on 9-4-2006 by Bajamatic]

bajalou - 9-3-2006 at 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajapablo
Got pulled over for running a stop sign in San Felipe. Followed the cop to the station paid the 25.00 fine.

I've had 3 tickets for stop sign running and the last 2 (within a year) were 129 pesos each.

Mike Supino - 9-3-2006 at 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bedman
Well...... According to the SOS organization the following are minimum and maximum fines for the following infractions in Mexico. All amounts are in Pesos!!

Speeding $632 to $1265
Traffic sig infraction $253 to $421
Seat belt $253 to $421
Talking on Cell phone $253 to $421
Not giving right of way $253 to $421
Littering $464 to $632
invalid /No driver lic. $253 to $421
Racing $464 to $632
Drvng in Fast lane $253 to $421
Double prk $253 to $421
Prkd in Red zne $253 to $421

Exploding firewrks $295
Disorderly cond. $126 to $285
Public Intox. $126 to $285
Drinking in Pub. $211 to $843
Loitering $421 to 1285
Peeing in Pub. $126 to $295
Naked in Pub. $211 to $843
Excess noise, car/moto/radio $211 to $843

Crimes relating to
Drugs/Alch/Prostituition $421 to $1285

Interesting to note that Public Intoxication is cheaper than Drinking in Public!!

Bedman

P.S. I typed everything real neat and had the fines 3 tabs over, but I guess the soft ware removes the tabs/space??

[Edited on 9-3-2006 by Bedman]

I believe that you missed "Attempted Vehicular Manslaughter on a Police Officer"
$20.00 US

capn.sharky - 9-3-2006 at 08:19 PM

I noticed that there was no fine posted for not wearing a helmet while riding on a motorcycle. I have never heard of anyone getting a ticket for that. As for paying the police officer---in Mexico everyone (including the Mexicans) does it. The police are paid very little and getting stopped is just a matter of bad luck. If the mordida is reasonable, pay it and be on your way. Anything over $20.00 U.S. is probably too much. Never show the officer how much money you have in your wallet. Always be respectful and everything should turn out fine. Afterwards you can feel good or bad....ni modo a me.

AmoPescar - 9-3-2006 at 08:31 PM

capn.sharky...

Riding without a Helmet fine

See my post above about riding w/o a helmet

Amo Pescar

BajaBruno - 9-6-2006 at 10:55 AM

Gawd, I've been pulled over all over Mexico. The federal highway cops are usually pretty professional and have good tactical procedures. The city cops are crooked as a mesquite tree. I universally refuse to pay them off, as it's against one of my few morals.

If the cop is nice, I tell him that I?m a retired cop, shake his hand, and I give him a shoulder patch. They always like that. If he?s a jerk (city traffic cops) and threatens to tow the truck, take away my license, etc., etc., then I rant and rave (in English and very poor Spanish) and tell him that he can take the truck, take my license, do anything, but I?m not paying him. I tell them that President Fox says that corruption is illegal in Mexico and I?m not paying corrupt cops. ?Corruption? seems to be a very powerful word in Mexico, because after this speech, they always walk back to their car without another word, get in, and drive away. I?ve never gotten a ticket in Mexico, or paid a cop.

DanO - 9-6-2006 at 12:07 PM

Running a stop sign -- in front of a police station -- in Ensenada: $42 US. (Not me, it was my wife.)

bajapablo - 9-6-2006 at 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou

Quote:

Originally posted by bajapablo
Got pulled over for running a stop sign in San Felipe. Followed the cop to the station paid the 25.00 fine.

I've had 3 tickets for stop sign running and the last 2 (within a year) were 129 pesos each.

thanks for rubbing in. with a big cabover camper and utah plates we had estupido gringo's written all over us and besides itwas our first ticket and we didn't know any better.

AmoPescar - 9-7-2006 at 12:54 AM

REGARDING MORDIDA and SINDICATURA...

FRED HOCTOR Who was a well known Writer for Western Oudoor News, Baja Traveler and Author, once wrote a story in WON about Mordida. He said that we should all remember the word "SINDICATURA" (seen-dee-kah-too-ra ). Sindicatura is the agency which investigates
corrupt public officials such as the police.

Fred said to keep a card or something with the word printed on it close to your Driver?s license (some Nomads suggest putting a sticker on the back of your Dr. license with the name and their phone numbers). As you hand the officer your license he will see the word and will usually back off immediately. Fred also suggested you look at the officer?s badge number and begin writing it down, as if you were recording it to report him.

I have never personally had to use this method, but Fred swore it would work every time.

For more info on SINDICATURA, do a NOMAD or Google search

Amo

David K - 9-8-2006 at 09:28 AM

Did Fred say that? Well, he lived in Punta Banda on the cool Pacific!

I often go to L.A. Bay on the July 4th holiday and it is a great time to be there!

I would avoid August if heat and humidity bother you, however... The fish don't mind it!